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YouTube Space Lab (YouTube Space Lab) - 09.17.14

Science Objectives for EveryoneYouTube Space Lab is a world-wide contest for students 14-18 years old for which entries were submitted via a 2- minute YouTube video in the areas of physics or biology. Of the 2,000 entries received from around the world, the top 2 global winners were selected. These experiments examine the predatory behavior of a jumping spider and the anti-fungal properties of Bacillus subtilis, a naturally occurring bacteria that is commonly used as an anti-fungal agent for agricultural crops.

Science Results for Everyone

Science from space hits YouTube. Two thousand students 14-18 years old from around the world submit two-minute videos on physics and biology experiments. A prestigious panel of scientists, crewmembers, and teachers choose six students to experience a zero-gravity flight. Two of the experiments, one examining predatory behavior of a jumping spider and the other, anti-fungal properties of bacteria used as an anti-fungal agent for agricultural crops, are then performed in space and live-streamed on YouTube. Selected students choose either a trip to Japan to watch their experiment blastoff, or to Russia for space training where Yuri Gagarin became a cosmonaut.

The following content was provided by Amr Mohamed, Dorothy Chen, Sara Ma, Zahaan Bharmal, and is maintained in a database by the ISS Program Science Office.

YouTube Space Lab is a global science contest for 14-18 year olds that opens October 11, 2011 and closes December 7, 2011. The purpose of YouTube Space Lab is to challenge students to design an experiment that could be conducted on board the International Space Station (ISS).

Any 14-18 year old student from around the world who has parental/guardian permission can participate. Interested students submit their ideas via a 2-minute YouTube video.

Using the excitement of space, hundreds of thousands if not millions of students from around the world are exposed to the idea of research in space and the uniqueness of the ISS as a scientific platform.

Two biology experiments were selected as the top global winners. The first experiment examines the anti-fungal properties of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) in space. The students propose the B. subtilis reacts differently in space than the ground controls and that the space based cultures have increased anti-fungal properties when compared to ground controls.

The second experiment examines the predatory behavior of Jumping Spiders. The Salticus scenicus or the zebra jumping spider and the Phiddipus johnsoni or red backed jumping spider. This experiment seeks to determine if the jumping spider alters its predation technique in a microgravity environment.

For further information regarding these experiments please see SpaceLab.

Description
YouTube Space Lab is a world-wide contest for students 14-18 years old in which students submitted entries via a 2 minute YouTube video in the areas of physics or biology. Any 14-18 year old student from around the world who has parental/guardian permission can participate. Of the 2,000 entries received from around the world, 60 finalists were selected. The 60 finalists’ video entries were open to a public voting period and were judged by a distinguished panel. From the top 60 finalists, 6 regional winners were selected. The top two global winners were announced March 22, 2012 from the 6 regional winners.

The first experiment examines the anti-fungal properties of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) in space. Cultures of B. subtilis are flown to the ISS in stasis on board the HTV launch vehicle. The cultures are housed inside of BioServe's Fluid Processing Apparatus (FPAs). Eight FPAs are secured inside of the Group Activation Pack (GAP). Six GAPs are flown for this experiment. The B. subtilis is activated on board the ISS. The stable cultures receive liquid media under three conditions: liquid media alone, liquid media with phosphate added and liquid media with nitrates added. The students propose the B. subtilis reacts differently in space than the ground controls and that the space based cultures will have increased anti-fungal properties when compared to ground controls.

The second experiment examines the predatory behavior of the Jumping spider. Specific species are the Salticus scenicus or the zebra jumping spider and the Phiddipus johnsoni or red backed jumping spider. Jumping spiders have very good vision that they use to track and stalk prey. Unlike orb weavers, the jumping spider does not spin a web to capture food. Jumping spiders are hunters. They move around during the day seeking prey. Once it visually identifies prey, it may stalk it for some distance prior to catching it. Once the jumping spider is within close proximity of its prey, it will secure a drag line using its silk and then jump with great speed onto the prey securing it with a lethal bite. The drag line acts as a safety harness in case the spider should miss its target and fall. This experiment seeks to determine if the jumping spider alters its predation technique in a microgravity environment. For further information regarding these experiments please see SpaceLab.

Space Applications
YouTube Space Lab is a world-wide science contest that highlights the International Space Station, its uses and potential.

Earth Applications
YouTube Space Lab increases awareness of and generates excitement for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) areas, space sciences and for the space program in general.

Operational Requirements
Both experiments require HD video be downlinked. The sponsors are requesting live video streaming once the experiments are activated. Both experiments require HD camera downlink while the experiments are being set-up.

Operational Protocols
The Jumping Spiders are fed 3 times while on board the ISS. Each feeding session is approximately 3-4 days apart. The B. subtilis experiment requires the crew to activate all 6 GAPs and then take photographs of each GAP once at activation, and then again at 16-18 and 48-52 hours post activation. For the live streaming event the crew show the experiments inside of the flight hardware and give insight into the results of the experiment.

Of the 2,000 entries received from around the world, 60 finalists were selected. A prestigious panel of scientists, crewmembers, and teachers judge the entries with input from the YouTube community. Six regional finalists gathered in the United States in March 2012 to experience a zero-gravity flight, and those who were not finalists received other prizes. The two global winners saw their experiments performed 250 miles into space and live streamed on YouTube. These experiments examined the predatory behavior of a jumping spider and the anti-fungal properties of Bacillus subtilis, a naturally occurring bacteria that is commonly used as an anti-fungal agent for agricultural crops. Also, the global winners choose a unique space experience as a prize: either a trip to Japan to watch their experiment blast off to space or a trip to Russia for an authentic space training experience at the facilities where Yuri Gagarin became a cosmonaut.